Dental assistants at Gracelight Community Health are unique. Not many people wish to become real-life tooth fairies. Equipped with magic toothbrush wands and fairy wings, our dental assistants will sometimes trade their scrubs for wings on special occasions. They believe being dental assistant is one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives. They have helped children and sometime fearful adults to overcome their fear of the dentist.
Lorena Equihua, Registered Dental Assistant at Echo Park says, “My favorite patients are children because they are always fascinated to learn about their teeth. It is always exciting when kids lose their baby teeth and begin to grow their adult or permanent teeth.” Our dental teams think it is important to teach kids good oral hygiene practices, so they can maintain their teeth into adulthood.
Here is some advice they have for parents:
- Dental checkups should be made for the child every six months.
- Use the two by two rule – Kids (and adults) should brush at least two times a day for two minutes.
- Healthy food is best – Sugary snacks are great for a special treat, but soda at mealtime is a no-no.
- Use fluoride toothpaste – it helps keep teeth strong and prevents cavities from forming.
- Ask about dental sealants – sealants applied to teeth can prevent 80% of cavities.
- If your child plays sports, have them wear a mouthguard to prevent serious injuries.
Checkups from a dentist can save children from serious health issues down the road. In a recent study from the Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC, they found that 73% of low-income children in Los Angeles have untreated tooth decay or cavities. And untreated dental caries can lead to hours of missed school due to dental pain and emergency treatment. In fact, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) reports that tooth pain is the number one reason of students miss school.
We know that parents want the best for their kids and we want to be there to help. Fear of the dentist and expensive treatment should not deter you from bringing your kids or yourself to the dentist. We have payment and insurance options available to you. And we also have friendly staff who will make your dental experience a little less painful, and a bit more magical.